Drop-side crib



Filed Jan. '25, 1945 `Patented Aug. 21, 1945 i .UNITED l STATES l OFFICE `j l o x o 3,383,167' y f DROP-SIDE CRIB o Harold Shaw,`-Leomnster, Mass.;i`as`sign"or,toA 1 .b i

F. `A; Whitney Carriage Company, Leominster, j Mass., a corporation of Massach;useiats` i ApillcatioJanuaryzs,1945, se'rialnasna'w 4c`1ai1`s-li"rois-199) `This invention relates to drop-side cribs and l the object is to provide an improved construction wherein the drop, side `is easily manipulatedobutsecurely held, the construction Ibeing simple, `inexpensive and neat. l. l

My invention will be well understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein I have shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention by ianother position; and

Fig. 5 is a section `on the line 5 5 yof Fig. 2.

Fig. 1` shows one corner of a. crib having an end member I0 having a post` I2 between which and its counterpart at the other end of the crib is received the drop side I4. `On the posts I2 is mounted a vertical slideway herein shown as consisting of a rod IS in spaced relation to the` post and passing through holes I8 in the top and bottom rails of the side. The construction as so,far described and illustrated is conventional. In Fig. 1 the side is shown in lowered position. The bed bottom, spring, mattress, etc.,

are omitted.

The end portions of the top rail fof the side at either end thereof (one only lbeing illustrated) are provided with latchesl of a form to be described. I have herein` shown a notch 22 near the upper lend of the rod providing a downwardly facing shoulder t0. be engaged by the latch to support the side in raised position. Herein the notches are on the interior sides of the rods facing toward the opposite side of the crib and do not show in Fig. 1. While the side I4 in its lowered position may rest as usual on the bottom arm of the slideway, I preferto provide a notch which will be engaged by the latch in the lowered position of the side to rigdify the structure.

The latch herein shown comprises a plate 24 preferably received in a horizontal kerf 26 in Figs. 3 and'lpthus provides; an edge which adapted to intersect `the` hole I8 and enter beneath thel downwardly facing shoulder of the notch 22 whenthe plate `aligns with the notch.

Toiyieldably stress the plate toward engaging position, that of Figa-3, I have'h'erein shown a spiral spring n32 (see Figf)v conveniently having one end seated in a bore in the face of the rail and its other end positioned by a Iboss 34 struck inwardly'from a flange 36 arising at one side of the plate, which ange forms a finger-engaging part exposed outwardly of the rail by means of also provide asmall flange 40 `on the side of the plate opposite the flange 3B and opposing the inner side of the rail for a like purpose.` Such stop means are chieiiy useful in `assembly as in the completed `structure the edge ofthehole 30 will ride along the side of the rod `Iii at all times when not engaged in the notch.

Assumingthe dropside I4 to be in the lowered position shown, the top rail may be grasped and the side lifted. l The locking edge of the hole `30` will slide along the inner surface of the rod until it comes opposite the notch I22 when it will snap into position over the shoulder formed thereby providing a positive lock for the side in the raised position. To lower the side again the top rail may be grasped with the hands and the anges 36 pressed inwardly by the thumbs. This moves the plate to the position of Fig. 4, disengaging the locking edge from the notch, and permits the side to be lowered.

` I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the end of the rail 20 and pivoted to swing on a vertical axis which is herein provided by the screw 28 entered from the bottom of the rail. The plate (see Figs. 3 and 4) has a hole 30 therethrough which in the position of Fig. 3 is partly disaligned with and overlaps the rod-receiving hole I8 in the rail and in the position -of Fig. 4 is completelt7 aligned with the hole I8 and surrounds it. The upper margin of the hole, viewing the spirit or essential attributes thereof. and I therefore desire the present embodiment to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not ing vertical slideways anda' drop side arranged between said members having top and bottom rails apertured to pass the slideways for vertical movement of the side along the same, the slide- 1 ways presenting horizontal shoulders, latches each rails apertured to pass the slideways for vertical movement of the side along the same, the slide-` ways presenting horizontal shoulders, latches each comprising a plate pivoted on' Veitial itx to.'

the top rail and having an edge to; engage the slideway, the plate having a flange opposing the side of the rail and' adapted to be" actuated'by a ngerand a spring between said flange and rail normally tending to move the edge into position to interlock the shoulder."v u

3. In a crib comprisinglend members supporte ing vertical slideways and adr-op side arranged between said members having top and bottom rails apertured to pass the s lideways' for vertical'movement of the side along the same', the slideways presenting horizontal shoulders, the top 'railsof the drop side beingkerfed at their ends, latches for the ends of the rail each comprising a plate pivoted in thekerf on a vertical pivot, the plate having an edge intersecting the aperture to engage .the shoulder on the slideway, a spring normally pressing the plate to engaging position against n the stop, and a finger piece on the plate projecting` bQYQnd the, kerf for moving it against the spring.

'4. In a crib comprising end members supporting vertical slidewaysy and a drop sidey arranged between said members having top and bottom rails apertured to p-ass the slideways for vertical movement of the side along the same, the slideways presenting horizontal shoulders, latches each com- 'pling aplate pivoted to the top rail to swing in a horizontal plane and having holes therethrough adapted to swing between positions wherein the hole respectively completely and partially aligns with the aperture, a marginal portion of the hole engaging the shoulder in the latter position, spring meansytending to swing the plate to the latter V position, and a linger engageable extension of the plate then exposed beyond the rail for moving the plate to the former position against the'f'orce of the spring.

' .HAROLD F.' SHAW. 

